Ben Harper
Ben Harper is a dentist who is constantly grumpy and sarcastic. When he is not at work sacking another assistant or trying to avoid fellow-dentist Roger, he is at home trying to relax (which never works).
Ben isn't all bad though, behind his moody exterior he does really love his family and has to put up with being bossed about and manipulated by his wife Susan, continually fleeced for money by his children.
Susan Harper
Susan Harper is a control freak and very good at getting her way. She is constantly worried about her three children and often forces Ben to go out his way to monitor or look after them.
Susan is a tour guide but seems to spend most of her time at home. She is a terrible cook, and the rest of the family often have to sneak the food she has prepared into the bin without her noticing.
Janey Harper (Series 1-3 & 5-8)
Fashion conscious, money loving, boy mad Janey spends all her time on the phone, switching boyfriends or pestering Ben for money so she can go shopping.
Whilst at Manchester University (spending yet more of her dad's money) Janey got pregnant. She was chucked out and so returned home to once again take advantage of her parents. Susan doesn't seem to mind as it means she now has Kenzo to look after.
Michael Harper
Michael (or 'Mikey' as Ben calls him) is the youngest of Ben and Susan's children. He is a smart, clever geeky adolescent. He looks down on his family as he is more sensible than the rest of them put together and often ends up having to get them out of trouble.
In the last few years Michael has developed quite an interest in girls and often brings them home, much to his mother's disgust. He seems that since we started going to university he has become more of a rebel, with his bleached hair and piercings.
Abi Harper (Series 3-8)
Abi moved in to the Harper household in the third series. She is Ben and Susan's niece... although Ben wishes she wasn't!
Apart from being very clumsy, Abi is also very dim. She can often be seen telling Ben and Susan off.
It took her a while (how she missed all the clues we don't know) but Abi has now finally realised that Roger is madly in love with her!
Roger Bailey Jr. (Series 3-8)
Roger is the over-enthusiastic dentist who works in the same building as Ben. He often turns up at the Harper household un-invited and proceeds to un-intentionally annoy Ben.
For a long period Roger was trying to build up the courage to ask Abi out on a date. They were, after all, ideally suited - like Abi, Roger possesses no common sense and is very gullible. Eventually they did indeed get married.
Roger is now also a part-time policeman!
Nick Harper (Series 1-5)
Nick Harper is the oldest of the three siblings. He is a complete layabout who is constantly changing jobs - one minute he is a self-made stunt man, the next he is a mime artist.
Nick is extremely laid-back and certainly cannot be trusted to carry out an important task or look after money!
Nick was last seen moving out into his own flat - from the phone conversations Ben and Susan have with him it seems he is coping living on his own.
Alfie Butts (Series 6-8)
Alfie is a friend of Nick's. He turned up at the Harper household at Christmas in 2005 and hasn't yet moved out!
Alfie comes from a small community in Wales which seems to have some rather backwards traditions, based on what we hear in the stories he tells. There were clearly not many girls where Alfie came from, so he very much enjoys spending time at the Harpers' and meeting Michael's friends. For some reason most of the family have turned to Alfie at one stage or other for his advice - you shouldn't ever take advice from Alfie!
Alfie is a struggling musician - despite not having a steady income or place to live he is still very laid back about life.
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